Gas at a glance

September 20, 2012 —

Health impacts of Marcellus Shale drilling to be studied in PA

Geisinger Health System in Danville, PA is partnering with Guthrie Health of Sayre, PA to study the health impacts of Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania. The goal of the study is to learn whether gas exploration increases the incidence of diseases like asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. A health surveillance network will be developed to make patient data available for research purposes. Funding sources are still being identified, as well as determining what the study will specifically encompass.

DRBC petitioned to exercise jurisdiction over pipelines

The Delaware Riverkeeper Network has presented a formal petition to the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) calling upon that agency to exercise its jurisdiction over proliferating natural gas pipelines in the Delaware River watershed. Delaware Riverkeeper Maya van Rossum served the petition during the public comment period of the September 12 DRBC meeting. The petition contends that pipelines are a significant source of waterway degradation and are subject to DRBC jurisdiction, docketing and oversight. “Installation of pipelines, individually and collectively, is a hazard for the Delaware River, its streams, communities and ecosystems,” said Van Rossum.” With nearly a dozen new pipelines or expansions proposed to cross within the watershed boundaries in order to serve the shale gas drilling industry, we are on the cusp of a new and yet-to-be-recognized environmental hazard for our communities.”